Top Communist Party of the Philippines leaders Benito and Wilma Tiamzon thank President Rodrigo Duterte after being released from detention. JULLIANE LOVE DE JESUS/INQUIRER.net
National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP) consultants Benito and Wilma Tiamzon have been finally released from detention at the Philippine National Police Custodial Center before noon Friday.
Both smiling, the Tiamzon couple walked out of the PNP headquarters in Quezon City raising their clenched fists as they were welcomed by militant protesters outside the Santolan gate of Camp Crame.
The Tiamzons, Wilma holding a red rose, were left the police camp around 11:30 a.m. after undergoing medical checkup.
Boarding a red Toyota Innova with an “8” plate, a vehicle owned by Anakpawis Rep. Ariel Casilao, the Tiamzons exited the Crame’s Gate 3 and went to the main gate to meet their supporters from groups under the progressive alliance Bagong Alyansang Makabayan (Bayan).
Giving a message before the protesters and the media, the Tiamzons thanked President Rodrigo Duterte for releasing them as well as for his openness on the peace talks, which could pave way for the end of the communist rebels’ armed struggle.
“Kami ay nagpapasalamat kay President Rodrigo Duterte sa pagpapalaya sa amin at sa pagbubukas muli ng usapang pangkapayapaan para pagusapan ang mga malalimang reporma sa lipunan, sa ekonomiya, at sa pulitika na kinakailangan para bigyang wakas ang armadong labanan,” Benito said.
(We thank President Rodrigo Duterte for freeing us and reopening the peace talks to give way to a discussion of comprehensive reform for the society, economy, and politics which are needed to end the armed struggle.)
READ: Palace welcomes Tiamzon couple’s temporary liberty for Oslo talks
For her part, Wilma called for the release of other political detainees.
“Sa lahat ng mga bilanggong pulitikal na walang lunas sa kanilang kalagayan ngayon kundi ang dagliang paglaya (The only solution to the condition of all the political prisoners is their release),” she said.
“Nagpapasalamat kami kay Presidente Duterte na maibabalik sa tamang landas ang usapang pangkapayapaan. Kailangang mapaksa ang mga makabuluhang usapin sa ating lipunan at mga batayan kung bakit mayroong digmaan na nangyayari sa ating bayan,” she added.
(We thank President Duterte now that the right path in the peace talks will resume. The important issues and bases in our society should be discussed to know why there is a war happening in our country.)
Separate courts handling the cases of the Tiamzons allowed them to post bail so they could participate in the peace talks between the NDF and the Philippine government in Oslo, Norway starting August 22 until 27.
Of the 22 political consultants supposed to fly to Oslo, only 17 have been released from detention.
READ: Tiamzons were under surveillance for 2 months
Joint police and military forces arrested the Tiamzon couple in March 2014 on the suspicion they were top Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) leaders.
Benito is believed to be the CPP chair while Wilma is the secretary general and finance chief of the Communist party.
The Tiamzon couple have been charged with kidnapping and serious illegal detention at the Quezon City Regional Trial Court (RTC) Branch 216, murder at the Manila Regional Trial Court (RTC) branch 32, murder and frustrated murder at the RTC in Laoang town, Northern Samar and illegal possession of firearms at the RTC in Toledo City, Cebu.